I doubt that Gareth Edwards or any of the screenwriters where actively trying to include TCW characters.
Gary Whitta seemed excited about the reveal, Leland Chee said they’ve been planning this for 4 years, and Pablo Hidalgo said on the Star Wars Show yesterday that they decided to include this character and Whittaker was their dream casting.
As for his eye color, it’s a bummer they didn’t have him wear contacts (or CG every shot, this is Star Wars, which they could still do), but who says he’s human and that his eyes don’t change color when he’s not on his native planet’s atmosphere or something.